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Have you ever listened to the radio or a song and heard something that felt strikingly familiar? No, I don’t mean Flo Rida sampling Etta James on Good Feeling or MC Hammer “borrowing” from Rick James on You Can’t Touch This. When you listen to Justin Timberlake, Usher and Chris Brown you hear echoes of Michael Jackson. When you listen to Michael Jackson you can hear Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Barry Gordy. Its influence, not imitation, and examples of it are the foundation for which the acclaimed chorus Cantus will present its program “On the Shoulders of Giants” on Tuesday, February 14.

Hailed by Fanfare as the “premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States,” the group will perform a selection of works that span centuries and various genres of music. It’s basically a look at masterworks and how they have inspired future generations. For each artist there was a predecessor who inspired them.

The performance will take place in the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in the Duke Hall of Citizenship on the LMU main campus in Harrogate, Tenn. Tickets are available now for $15 for general admission or $10 for LMU employees and students. Purchase tickets online at http://alumni.lmunet.edu/cantus or call Assistant Vice President for University Advancement Frank Woodward at 423.869.6351.

This concert will offer LMU and the surrounding area the opportunity to experience the highest quality musical performance by world-renowned artists. It’s an occasion that doesn’t come to Harrogate often, but one that I hope a lot of people will take advantage of.

Cantus includes tenors Aaron Humble, Paul J. Rudoi, Gary Ruschma, Shahzore Shah and David Walton; Adam Reinwald and Matthew Tintes, both baritones; and basses Chris Foss and Timothy C. Takach. Below is a sample of what the group will bring to Harrogate in a couple of weeks. Enjoy!